Wales Rugby News
The Welsh Rugby Union is creating a new tradition that will deliver a moment of remembrance and recognition for all former Wales internationals and relevant dignitaries who have passed, at the final match of any given year on home soil. A touching tribute will be paid that includes anyone who won a cap for Wales […]
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Live match updates will appear just prior to kick-off.
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The dual code rugby international on stigma, sexual health and inspiring the next generation
By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required
Gareth Thomas played 100 times for Wales at rugby union and four at rugby league. He spent the last few years of his career hoping to illuminate the subject of sexuality. He retired in 2011 after his club – Wrexham-based Crusaders – withdrew from Super League and injury ruled out leading Wales against England, New Zealand and Australia in the Four Nations. He was the only “out” gay male player from around 3,500 first team professionals at nearly 150 British rugby, football and cricket clubs. That figure still remains at one. Progress is glacial.
The former Bridgend, Cardiff and Toulouse centre first spoke publicly about having HIV five years ago. Now 50, and physically well, Thomas was taken to court by a former partner who accused him of infecting him with HIV. Thomas settled in early 2023 but maintained his innocence and said he settled without any admission of liability due to the costs involved of fully defending himself.
Continue reading...The Celtic Challenge will see the return of familiar names this season as the six teams are confirmed for the new League season. Set to kick-off in December, the league will welcome back Brython Thunder, the Clovers, Edinburgh Rugby, Glasgow Warriors, Gwalia Lightning, and the Wolfhounds for a season set to raise the bar for […]
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Will Rowlands has returned to the Wales camp after a summer off refreshed, re-invigorated and ready to go for the Autumn Nations Series. The giant 33-year-old Racing 92 lock sat out the summer matches against South Africa and Australia to recharge his batteries after ‘a long year’ and can’t wait to add his weight and […]
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The Dragons have confirmed the departure of head coach Dai Flanagan after a poor start to the BKT United Rugby Championship that has seen them slump to 15th in the table. Having joined the coaching staff at the Gwent region in the summer of 2022 Flanagan found himself thrust into the leading role after only […]
The post Flanagan leaves Dragons as Tiatia steps up appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
The former Wales, British and Irish Lions and Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies has announced his retirement from professional rugby.
The 36-year-old, who won 96 caps for Wales, left Scarlets at the end of the 2023-24 season having scored 55 tries in 209 appearances across two spells for the Welsh region.
Continue reading...The former Wales fly-half on breaking the mould to survive in the No 10 jersey, disappointment over concessions from players’ strike threats and life by the beach in Toulon
“I’m certainly not your stereotypical Welsh fly‑half and I don’t apologise for being different,” Dan Biggar says with a wry smile at a little restaurant on the beach front in Toulon. “I quite like the fact that I was different and did it my way.”
Storm clouds are rolling in from the sea and the atmospheric setting adds to a compelling conversation with Biggar, who, in contrast to his feisty image on the rugby pitch, is a friendly and thoughtful man. The darkening sky reminds us of Wales, which, for Biggar, “has always been a land of poets and dreamers”.
Continue reading...The Wallabies remain unbeaten in 2024 after victory over Wales in Melbourne gave coach Joe Schmidt a second win
“Replicate some of the things we did well and hopefully solve some of the things we didn’t do so well.”
How’s that for some cutting edge rugby insight from Joe Schmidt?
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